So it came down to the final wire, just hours before the July 31 trade deadline, the Atlanta Braves pulled off a
trade. A trade that the Braves haven't had in a long time. SPEED, SPEED, and some more SPEED!!!! The Braves sent CF Jordan Schafer and three minor league prospect pitchers to the Houston Astros for their CF Michael Bourn. Bourn was born in Houston, and like anyone that is playing for their hometown team, would want to finish his career in Houston. But not only is baseball a sport, it's a business. Bourn is not complaining about his trade to the Braves. But there is just one problem, the Braves are in the same division as the Philadelphia Phillies (69-39). The Braves are currently seven games back of the NL East leading Phillies. Braves (63-47) took a loss last night 3-5 from the bats of the Washington Nationals (52-56). Starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens (12-4) took the loss last night. Jurrjens was the leading starting pitcher for the Braves during the first half of the season, but has cooled off here in the second half.
Okay, back to Bourn. Bourn had an average of .303 before last night's debut. He went 1 for 4 last night, singling in his first at bat. The stat that sticks out to me is Bourn has 39 stolen bases this year, the entire Braves team has only 42. The thing that I'm looking forward to down the stretch is Bourn's leadoff skills. Getting him on base and then let him work his speed, trying to disrupt the pitcher, and stealing bases. The last time the Braves had a legitimate leadoff hitter were the days of Otis Nixon, Marquis Grissom, and Rafael Furcal. During the years of those players, the Braves had that long stretch of 14 straight division titles, and throw in there a 2005 World Series Championship as well. So hopefully this pickup is exactly what the Braves need to make a run for a division championship, then a long run in the playoffs.
Second game of Nationals series is slated for tonight, first pitch 7:05 EST.
trade. A trade that the Braves haven't had in a long time. SPEED, SPEED, and some more SPEED!!!! The Braves sent CF Jordan Schafer and three minor league prospect pitchers to the Houston Astros for their CF Michael Bourn. Bourn was born in Houston, and like anyone that is playing for their hometown team, would want to finish his career in Houston. But not only is baseball a sport, it's a business. Bourn is not complaining about his trade to the Braves. But there is just one problem, the Braves are in the same division as the Philadelphia Phillies (69-39). The Braves are currently seven games back of the NL East leading Phillies. Braves (63-47) took a loss last night 3-5 from the bats of the Washington Nationals (52-56). Starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens (12-4) took the loss last night. Jurrjens was the leading starting pitcher for the Braves during the first half of the season, but has cooled off here in the second half.
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| CF Michael Bourn joins Atlanta Braves: Photo by Atlanta-Journal Constitution |
Okay, back to Bourn. Bourn had an average of .303 before last night's debut. He went 1 for 4 last night, singling in his first at bat. The stat that sticks out to me is Bourn has 39 stolen bases this year, the entire Braves team has only 42. The thing that I'm looking forward to down the stretch is Bourn's leadoff skills. Getting him on base and then let him work his speed, trying to disrupt the pitcher, and stealing bases. The last time the Braves had a legitimate leadoff hitter were the days of Otis Nixon, Marquis Grissom, and Rafael Furcal. During the years of those players, the Braves had that long stretch of 14 straight division titles, and throw in there a 2005 World Series Championship as well. So hopefully this pickup is exactly what the Braves need to make a run for a division championship, then a long run in the playoffs.
Second game of Nationals series is slated for tonight, first pitch 7:05 EST.
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